On Saturday evening, police reported the program received 69 handguns, 27 rifles, 15 shotguns, as well as a grenade, 11 BB guns, a sword, and about 10,000 rounds of ammunition.

Berger, who supervises the firearms investigation unit, said Maryland law requires gun owners to sell firearms through the Maryland State Police or a certified gun owner.

He said the collected weapons would be checked to see if they were used in a crime, and the serial numbers checked to see if they were reported stolen. Stolen weapons would be returned to their rightful owners, Berger said. The rest would be melted down, he said.

The turn-in was advertised as a first for the state, but Jodi Finkelstein, a volunteer, said she helped to organize one 20 years ago.

The event will benefit violence prevention programs at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Finkelstein said she reached out to foundations and individuals to make donations that would go to the programs.

Finkelstein, of Olney, is a member of the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee.